IWC - The Geneva Watch Auction: XIII Geneva Saturday, May 8, 2021 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: IWC
    Year: 1970
    Reference No: 1811
    Movement No: 1’918’624
    Case No: 1’929’159
    Model Name: Yacht Club
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 8542, 25 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather strap
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel pin buckle
    Dimensions: 36.5mm. Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by IWC Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch and its subsequent sale on September 22, 1970

  • Catalogue Essay

    In 1967, IWC launched the “Yacht Club” model. The classical dress watches and military timepieces for pilots the brand was best known for at the time, the model wanted to offer a casual chic proposition. The name says in fact it all: it is a watch that can be worn in the suave atmosphere of a yacht club while sipping champagne and admiring a Sardinian sunset, but robust and reliable enough to be worn during the preceding regatta.

    This philosophy was in fact light years ahead of its time, and it has more than one shared trait with the mindset that brought to life - less than a decade later - the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and the Patek Philippe Nautilus.

    The present timepiece is a unique specimen of this landmark watch: in depth research discloses that it was sold in Hong Kong in September 1970. Unfortunately, IWC archives do not provide detail on watch dials, but accurate examination of both sides of the dial and the fact that even the date ring has been realized in the same particular tonality prompted us to believe in the absolute originality of the timepieces. In order to dispel any possible doubt, the watch - together with its blue sibling (preceding lot) - was physically sent to IWC. After in depth examination, they concluded that the dial is a 100% original IWC product, and was most probably originally fitted on this timepiece. While the absence of a dial record prevented IWC from mentioning the dial on the Extract, David Seyffer - Heritage director of IWC - was kind enough to provide this comment:

    "The two dials are highly rare; They are a design experiment from IWCs dial supplier. Only a few dials of the two variants exist. They were available in green and blue. Additionally, there was the corresponding date disc in the same colour. Officially, Yacht Club watches with these dials were never advertised. This makes the two pieces really very special.”

    We deeply thank the IWC Heritage Department for their support in researching these pieces.

  • Artist Biography

    IWC

    Swiss • 1868

    With a clear focus on technology and development, the Swiss watch manufacturer IWC Schaffhausen has been producing timepieces of lasting value since 1868. The company has gained an international reputation based on a passion for innovative solutions and technical ingenuity. One of the world's leading brands in the luxury watch segment, IWC crafts masterpieces of haute horlogerie at their finest, combining high precision with masculine design. Vintage wristwatches such as the oversized Portugieser, Aquatimer, Ingenieur and the B-UHR pilots watch are especially desirable for collectors.

    View More Works

45

Ref. 1811
A possibly unique, very attractive and highly unusual automatic wristwatch with center seconds, green date ring and green dial

1970
36.5mm. Diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
CHF3,000 - 5,000 
€2,700-4,500
$3,300-5,400

Sold for CHF22,680

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Watches, Continental Europe and the Middle East

41 79 637 1724
aghotbi@phillips.com

 

 

The Geneva Watch Auction: XIII

Geneva Auction 8 - 9 May 2021